Part 1: 

World War II, Eugenics, and Forgotten Ellis Island

This discussion board has two threaded discussions. Select one and write a semi-formal response with a thesis statement, evidence, and significance explained clearly. Then, respond to any instructor feedback and post on two other students’ discussion boards who answered a question different from the one you selected in your initial post. There is no word count as students have different writing styles and but you must demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and readings. All posts must be analytical, not summary, and are required to use and reference required course materials. While additional sources are accepted, they are not required, will not improve your grade, and will not serve as a substitute for demonstrated use of required course materials. Grading: review Discussion Board rubric housed in Student Resources.

Q.1 –  Ideologically, during the Second World War, the U.S. was part of the Allied Forces fighting for freedom and democracy, amidst a system of segregation. The U.S. participation in WWII did not occur though with combat actions until after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This time period represented a surge in American patriotism and civilian contributions in the war industry. 

In Chapter 14, Takaki examines the WWII experiences and contributions of non-white ethnic groups to the U.S. war effort and the “American Dilemmas” these groups presented. 

Japanese Americans:  “A Tremendous Hole in the Constitution”

African Americans: “Bomb the Color Line”

Chinese Americans: To “Silence the Distorted Japanese Propaganda”

Mexican Americans: “Up from the Barrio”

Native Americans: “Why Fight the White Man’s War?”

Jewish Americans: A “Deafening Silence”

Based on a wide range of Week 4 sources, what were the significant contributions made by these groups? Pick two of the above mentioned populations mentioned to analyze. What particularly resonated with you about the populations and/or the trials towards new cultural representation of the group? After reviewing the Week 4 materials, what do you think are the main obstacles standing in the way of new immigrants to the US?

• Q. 2 – Read Lecture 9 and view the Week 4 documentary, Forgotten Ellis Island.  Why is Ellis Island called the “island of hope and the island of tears?” In your answer discuss the American Dream, public health, shifting immigration policies, and the eugenics movement.

Part 2 :

Post an initial response Thursday, by midnight, PST and TWO responses to other students‘ postings:

Tulinabitu’s Post :

On the Sunday morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese planes dropped bombs on the ships anchored in the U.S. Naval base of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This horrible attack divested 21, ships that were sunk or damaged 164 planes that were destroyed, 1,178 soldiers and sailors were wounded, and 2,288 were killed (Ronald Takaki, p. 339).

General Delos Emmons declared that since the Japanese attack them and kill more people said that while we have been subjected to a serious attack by the enemy, we must remember that this is America and we must do things the American way, we must distinguish between loyalty and disloyalty among our people. An order has been signed on April 30, 1942, to evacuate all Japanese ancestry, both alien and no-alien from Hawaii and there were obliged to sell all, but in February 1943, President Roosevelt understand that the Japanese people who were born in the U.S need to be protected and sign an order for non-evacuation for all neutralize Japanese. When the order was signed the Japanese will be introduced to Military Intelligence Service to help the U.S. by interpreting and translating, which was a success for the U.S. to win the war in Europe in 1942 (Takaki, p.342).

In 1940, the president signed an executive order to ban all forms of discrimination which was on top even in arms where African Americans were not welcomed due to their color line, and no position was given to them. A. Philip Randolph, opposed the order of the president by criticized that he surrenders to enemies who will destroy national unity by advocating segregation. However, George Schuyler said,” Our war is not against Hitler in Europe but against Hitler in America.” That means the war is not to defend democracy, but to get a democracy we have never had. He was protesting about all negroes were not considered in arms as soldiers who can defend the nation. The African American were segregated even in the toilet, where some toilets were signed to the black, and the white, even to go to church the Negro were not allowed to meet in the same church with the white when they were been told that they don’t serve colored (Takaki, p.351).

After getting a chance to be involved in the arm when Henry L. Stimson authorized the training, to the color line in aviation at Tuskegee Air Force Base, the Negro demonstrate their talents, when a fighter group escorted bombers first over France and then over Berlin itself and win the war. Randolph also, combat to allow the Negro people in the jobs position like white, when President Roosevelt was addressing a meeting. After, a week they were also admitted to work when the president implemented the Committee on Fair Employment Practice to investigate complaints of discrimination. Mary Anderson said” We must use the highest skills and the full strength of all our people, men, and women, to win the war and to win the peace.” (Takaki, p.352).

White or black is only a simple decoration, which everyone can make and change again if we can look like today people change their hair color from black to white, and from white to green and so on, that means our view must not go true the color, but we need to understand that color could not help us to maintain our dignity or integrity. If we can look since we have been in color discrimination, what did I win, all are human beings with the same blood color and the same morphology. The people who were negligee like Japanese and African American is the one who fight for the country and bring a feeling of peace; in God we trust.

Reference

Takaki, Ronald T., 1939-2009. (1993): World War II American Dilemmas: A History of Multicultural America. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 

robert’s post:

In Chapter 14 of “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America,” Ronald Takaki explores the experiences and contributions of various non white ethnic groups during World War II. One group discussed is Japanese Americans, who faced the harsh reality of prejudice and discrimination in light of the war. Despite their loyalty and willingness to serve, they were still interned in detention camps. Takaki refers to this as “a tremendous hole in the constitution” (Takaki, 1993, p.348-349). Another group highlighted is African Americans, who were determined to break down racial barriers during the war. They fought for equality and demanded that the “color line” be destroyed (Takaki, 1993, p.350). African American soldiers faced segregation and inequality within the military, being assigned jobs such as cooks and custodian duties, but their courage and bravery demonstrated their commitment to fighting for justice (Takaki, 1993, p.352-354).

What resonated with me about Japanese Americans and African Americans during this time was their resilience and determination to fight for their rights and equality. Despite the injustice they faced, both groups refused to be silenced and stood up against discrimination. Japanese Americans, despite being treated as enemies within their own country, showed loyalty and patriotism by volunteering for the military. African Americans, on the other hand, fought for their rights by challenging segregation and fighting for equal treatment within the armed forces.

After reviewing the Week 4 materials, the main obstacles standing in the way of new immigrants to the US appear to be prejudice, discrimination in the form of legislative policies on immigration, and the struggle to gain cultural representation. Many new immigrants face stereotypes and prejudices based on their race, ethnicity, or religion. They often confront barriers in accessing education, job opportunities, and social acceptance. Additionally, they may struggle to maintain their cultural identity and connections to their homeland while adapting to a new country and culture. These obstacles can hinder their ability to fully integrate into American society and find success. However, it is important to recognize, understand, and address these challenges in order to create a more comprehensive and just society for all immigrants.

References

Takaki, R. T., 1939-2009. (1993). A Different Mirror : A History of Multicultural America. Boston :Little, Brown & Co.